Andorra Ravens impress against Valls on debut in LFAC 2009

The "Corbs d'Andorra", or Andorra Ravens in English, made an impressive debut in the Catalan league last weekend, hosting the reigning premiers Belfry Valls and running out 125-108 point victors.

The match in the Andorran capital Andorra la Vella was the first home game for the Ravens, having played only a few tournament matches since their creation last year. With the club from Valls having been the traditional LFAC powerhouse since the league's creation, the Ravens can be very happy with a powerful win in their first encounter.

Fellow debutants the Perpignan Tigers were less lucky in their first league match, traveling south and going down against Barcelona's Cornellà Bocs 82-13. The day started badly for the Tigers from southern France, having to start a player short as some of the side had been delayed en route. Playing with a full side and a bench in the second half, the French were able to put up a stronger contest, but were ultimately outclassed by the more experienced Bocs.

The young side from Perpignan can take encouragement from making it this far - plenty of newly-formed teams have stepped into an already-existing league in the past and found the first few matches tough going.

The four-team Lliga de Futbol Australià de Catalunya has changed its composition a few times in its history, with Valls being the one club that has held through the seasons. This year sees the league extend beyond the national borders for the first time with the inclusion of Andorra and Perpignan. With the revival of footy in the Madrid area this year, and the participation of the Madrid Bears and Móstoles Roos in the LFAC's pre-season tournament in Valls, the future looks bright for footy in the Iberian Peninsula.

A television interview in Catalan with the Andorran team can be viewed on informatius.ad.